Responsibilities of the Library Board and the Director
Policy Making
The Board Determine the goals and objectives of the library, as well as methods of evaluating progress towards them Consider what policies are needed Officially adopt policies |
The Library Director Provide assistance and direction to the board in setting goals and objectives and determining methods of evaluation Recommend needed policies and advise board Carry out policies and interpret them to staff and public |
Administration of the Library
The Board Employ director, adopt plans, policies and budget, which gives board indirect responsibility. Keep in touch with library's progress via personal visits to the library, librarian's reports, and feedback from the public. |
The Library Director Has direct responsibility by administering the library within the framework of the board's plans, etc. Report status, problems, etc. to the board either via board meetings or other methods. |
Personnel
The Board Employ library director and confirm staff appointments Develop personnel policies and make sure working conditions are acceptable. Evaluate library director. |
The Library Director Employ and supervise staff. Recommend needed improvements and/or new policies. Suggest evaluation criteria and provide materials for board. Maintain records of personnel evaluations. |
Budget
The Board Scrutinize preliminary budget, make necessary changes, adopt official budget. Explore and consider ways of increasing library funding. Authorize expenditures. |
The Library Director Prepare preliminary budget. Research and provide board with information relevant to the discussion. Decide on use of money within budget, long range plan, etc. |
Board Meetings
The Board Attend and participate in all regular and special meetings. Maintain "open meetings" as required by law. Approve minutes. |
The Library Director Attend all regular and special meetings. Give appropriate public notice. Act as secretary to the board, prepare agenda and provide minutes. |
Public Relations
The Board Establish and participate in planned public relations program. Serve as link between the library and the community. Keep political fences mended. |
The Library Director Maintain an active program of public relations. Interpret board policies to staff and public. Involve library in community activities. Keep political fences mended. |
Continuing Education
The Board Read trustee materials and library related publications. See that new trustees have orientation. Attend Federation or trustee-related meetings. Support continuing education for library staff. |
The Library Director Call significant materials to board's attention. Organize new trustee orientation. Inform trustees of important meeting dates. Inform trustees of important continuing education opportunities and urge trustees to include travel money, etc. in budget. |
Planning for the Library's Growth
The Board Analyze the community and consider library's strengths and weaknesses. Set goals and adopt short and long range plans for the library. Set priorities and decide on course of action. |
The Library Director Suggest and provide materials for community analysis. Help analyze library's strengths and weaknesses. Recommend plans and means for implementing. Administer library in terms of plans adopted by board. |
ASPeN: The New Library Directory
- Home
- Introduction
- Wanted: A Library Director
- Contacts
- Montana Library Scene
- Montana Library Scene Overview
- Montana Public Libraries
- Montana State Library
- Montana Library Association
- Wired-MT and Focus
- Federations
- Continuing Education in Montana
- Certification
- Public Library Standards
- Montana Shared Catalog
- Library Director, Trustee, and Local Government
- Library Director, Trustee and Local Government Overview
- Library Laws
- New Library Staff
- Library Board Overview
- Responsibilities of the Library Board and the Director
- Tips For Working With the Library Board
- Getting Boards to Attend Meetings and Plan for the Library
- Policies vs. Procedures
- Policies vs. Procedures Overview
- Policies
- Procedures
- Public Service
- Public Service Overview
- Customer Service
- Reader’s Advisory
- Reference
- Reference Interview
- Circulation
- Interlibrary Loan
- Outreach
- Programs
- Visiting Senior Centers and/or Schools
- Services to the Homebound
- Bookmobiles
- Children Services
- Young Adult Services
- Adult Services
- Collection Development
- Collection Development Overview
- Assessing the Collection
- Collection Development Policy
- Collection Management Honor Roll
- Selecting Items for the Collection
- Acquisitions
- Weeding or Deselection
- Technical Services
- Technical Services Overview
- Organizing Your Collection
- Classification and Cataloging
- Processing and Mending
- Public Relations
- Public Relations Overview
- Library’s Image
- Publicity
- Programming
- Community Relations
- Role of Trustees
- Marketing
- Friends and Volunteers
- Friends and Volunteers Overview
- Friends of the Library
- How to Organize a Friends Group
- How to Revitalize Your Friends
- Volunteers
- Volunteer Programs
- Recruiting Volunteers
- Managing and Keeping Volunteers
- Personnel
- Personnel Overview
- Personnel Policy
- Hiring
- Interviewing
- Job Evaluations
- Discipline and Termination
- Grievance Procedures
- Important Employment Laws
- Finances
- Finances Overview
- Local Funding Sources
- State Funding Sources
- Information Access Montana Act
- Coal Severance Tax
- Federal Funding Sources
- Library Services and Technology Act
- Telecommunications Discount Program (E-Rate)
- Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
- Library Foundations
- Other Funding Sources
- Budgeting
- Budgeting Calendar
- Following the Money
- Planning for the Future
- Planning for the Future Overview
- Long Range Planning
- Preparing to Plan
- Describing Your Community
- Your Community’s Vision
- Questions That Should Be Answered
- Planning for Disaster
- Technology in the Library
- Technology in the Library Overview
- Planning and Evaluating Technology
- Automation
- Statewide Cooperative Projects
- E-Rate
- Montana State Library
- Montana State Library Overview
- Montana State Library Commission
- Montana State Librarian
- Library Development Division
- Montana Talking Book Library
- Montana Digital Library
- Publications
- Timeline of Required Paperwork
- Explanation of Paperwork Required by Montana State Library